The life and work of Guyanese composer and teacher, Valerie Rodway, CCH, is to be honoured with a roster of activities to mark her birth centenary.
The commemoration, hosted by the Ministry of the Presidency will be held this week, and includes the issuing of a commemorative stamp and book at a reception to be held at State house.
According to a Ministry of the Presidency (MotP) press release, Valerie Rodway was born in New Amsterdam, East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) on February 12, 1919.
She composed patriotic music and test pieces for the music festivals, as well as music for schools, community singing, large choirs, and art. “Guyana the Free” was her submission for the national anthem competition, the MotP release added.
Rodway’s creative output represents a solid exploration of the Guyanese experience during a crucial period in the quest to end the colonial experience and become a free state. Her compositions embody the civic values cultivated by her family and friends. They were also influenced by her travels and reflect the creative responses to the spirit of the times.
In sum, she left behind a substantial body of work that represents several styles. It also reflects national pride and a commitment to quality, the release said.
The commemoration programme will include:
A church service at 10:00h today at the AME Zion Church, New Garden Street;
The official naming of the building at Lot 94 Carmichael Street as ‘Valerie Rodway House’ at 11:00h on Tuesday, February 12. A commemorative stamp and a book on Ms. Rodway will also be released at a reception to be held at State House.
A symposium on Valerie Rodway’s music- ‘A National treasure’ – will be held from 17:00h to 19:00h on Wednesday, February 13, at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus in the Education Lecture Theatre
